If you’ve ever found yourself standing in the supermarket staring blankly at a wall of mince pies, wondering why they all look the same—and why you feel so utterly wiped out—you’re not alone. For many women 50+, the festive season doesn’t always arrive wrapped in glitter. Sometimes it sneaks in with a to-do list the length of a tinsel garland and an energy level that’s… well, less Santa’s sleigh and more flat battery.
The good news? Your festive spark isn’t gone. It’s just hiding under the wrapping paper, emotional load, and sheer exhaustion of December. And with a few small shifts, you can coax it back into the light.
Let’s unwrap this gently.
Why “Yule Be Tired” Is a Real Thing for Women 50+
Hormonal changes, busy families, changing traditions, grief, work, grandkids, ageing parents, health shifts, and the pressure to “make Christmas magical”—it’s a potent cocktail.
Your head knows you should be fa-la-la-ing your way through the season…
Your body and mind might be saying, “Actually, I’d quite like a nap.”
And that’s okay.
December is emotional. It’s nostalgic. It’s full of expectations—most of which fall on women.
But here’s where the spark starts to return: acknowledging that you’re human, not an elf with overtime powers.
How to Find Your Festive Spark Again (Without Burning Out)
✨ 1. Simplify Like a Seasonal Queen
Cut the list. Decline the unnecessary. Shorten the plans.
Ask yourself: Will anyone’s Christmas crumble if I don’t do this?
If the answer is no, let it go…let it go … (I know a song about that!!!)
Simplifying isn’t selfish—it’s strategic. Your nervous system will love it!!
✨ 2. Create Micro-Moments of Joy
You don’t need a full day at a spa to recharge—though lovely if you can!
Try little sparks:
- Five minutes with a hot drink in silence
- A festive candle you actually like
- A gentle walk with your dog or alone
- One song that lifts your mood
Tiny sparks build warmth.
✨ 3. Break Up With the Old Festive Guilt
Say it with me:
You do not have to deliver a blockbuster Christmas.
You’re allowed:
- To buy the pudding
- To skip a party
- To rest
- To choose what feels good, not what’s expected, in other words to choose YOU!!
Stress dims your spark. Boundaries brighten it.
✨ 4. Honour Your Heart (Especially If You’re Grieving)
The holidays can stir sadness—loss of loved ones, past traditions, relationships that have changed.
Your emotions are not inconveniences; they’re part of your story.
Gentle self-care, talking therapies, and compassionate support can keep you steady when the season feels heavy.
You don’t need to “cheer up.”
You need space to feel. That’s where healing and spark can quietly return.
✨ 5. Choose Connection Over Perfection
People remember laughter, warmth, and being seen—not spotless floors or complex dinners.
Drop perfection; pick presence and offerings of enough being ok …lets face it who will notice and those that do …don’t deserve your energy
It’s the most energising festive choice you can make for you.
How Talking Therapies Can Support You Through December
Sometimes overwhelm runs deeper than a busy calendar.
Therapy can help you:
- untangle emotional fatigue
- set healthy boundaries
- process grief that resurfaces at Christmas
- manage family dynamics
- reconnect with joy and purpose
- build resilience for the year ahead
A calmer, more grounded festive season is possible—with support if you need it.
Your Spark Isn’t Gone—It’s Just Waiting for you to look beneath all that wrapping paper and festive frenzy.
“Yule Be Tired” doesn’t have to define your December.
With small shifts, compassion, and space for your needs, you can rediscover the parts of the season that genuinely warm you.
And if you’d like someone to walk alongside you—whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, grieving, or simply exhausted—support is here.
Warmly Sue